World Learning
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1932
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
World Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Learning
- Legal name
- World Learning, Inc.
- Website
- https://worldlearning.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1932
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Education and Exchange Services
- NAICS
- Language Schools (611630), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAF), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Business & Professional Language Training Abroad (EDAIAEAC), Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)
Keywords
Where World Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
World Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
World Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World Learning is a nonprofit organization founded in 1932 that delivers international education and people-to-people exchange programs across more than 150 countries. Its core work includes administering exchange and academic programs for international participants, English-language teacher training and TESOL certification, and public-diplomacy programming delivered primarily under U.S. government sponsorship.
Product overview
World Learning is an education and exchange organization that delivers programs through three main program areas: People-to-People Exchanges, Education (International Education), and TESOL | English Teacher Training. The portfolio consists of 15+ distinct programs including exchange programs (Global UGRAD, Youth Ambassadors NEA, Professional Fellows), English language programs (OPEN Program, VALUE, SIT TESOL Certificate, C5+O.N.E. Ed, English for Specific Purposes), public diplomacy initiatives (U.S. Speaker Program, International Visitor Leadership Program, IDEAS Program), and specialized education centers (Algiers STEM Center). These programs are primarily funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered as grants and cooperative agreements, serving participants from 60+ countries worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Global UGRAD: Global Undergraduate Exchange Program - brings exceptional undergraduate student leaders from over 60 countries to the United States.
- U.S. Speaker Program
- Youth Ambassadors Middle East North Africa
- Professional Fellows for Governance and Society
- SIT TESOL Certificate
- Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program
Products and services
- Global UGRAD
- OPEN Program
- VALUE Program
- SIT TESOL Certificate
- IDEAS Program
- U.S. Speaker Program
- International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
- Youth Ambassadors MENA
- Professional Fellows Program
- C5+O.N.E. Ed
- English for Specific Purposes (Uzbekistan mining sector)
- Fulbright Specialist Program
- Leaders Lead On-Demand
- MEPI Alumni Connection
- Algiers STEM Center
Quantifiable outcome
- 222,538 participants and students served since 2016
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use World Learning
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
World Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
World Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- U.S. Department of StatecoreWorld Learning serves as the primary administrator for multiple U.S. Department of State exchange and education programs including the Fulbright Specialist Program, Global UGRAD, IDEAS Program, International Visitor Leadership Program, and U.S. Speaker Program. The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs provides funding and program direction.
- Universidad del Valle de GuatemalaflagshipPartners with World Learning on the VALUE program to establish a voluntary national accreditation and certification system for English language learning and teacher training programs in Guatemala.
- Universidad Domnico AmericanocoreTeacher Development Center partner for implementing English language teacher training programs in the Dominican Republic, combining World Learning's curriculum with local institutional capacity.
- Universidad Nacional of Costa RicacorePartners with World Learning through the Global UGRAD alumni network to deliver innovative English language instruction to rural and isolated schools using virtual learning technology.
- Western Kentucky UniversitycoreIDEAS Program recipient building partnerships with Japanese universities and companies to create exchange programs and internships connecting local workforce needs to global opportunities.
- EducationUSAcoreSupports university partnerships and student advising networks that connect World Learning exchange program opportunities with prospective participants.
- School for International TrainingflagshipDelivers the world-renowned SIT TESOL Certificate through World Learning, bringing over 50 years of TESOL and English education expertise. The certificate is accredited by SIT Graduate Institute and accepted at Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework.
- International Focus, Gulf Coast DiplomacycorePartners with World Learning on the Youth Ambassadors Middle East North Africa program for youth exchange focused on entrepreneurship and digital citizenship.
- U.S. Department of State - American SpacescoreGlobal network of centers connecting communities to American education, culture, and values where Global UGRAD alumni conduct English teaching workshops and professional development.
- Hirosaki UniversitycoreJapanese university partnered with Western Kentucky University through IDEAS Program funding, focusing on agricultural and academic exchanges.
- Kyoto University of Foreign StudiescoreJapanese university providing internship opportunities for American students in gaming, design, and programming industries through partnerships facilitated by World Learning's IDEAS Program.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
World Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IREX: IREX is a global development and education nonprofit that implements U.S. government-funded exchange, training, and capacity-building programs — comparable to World Learning as a peer U.S. State Department program administrator.
- Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): CIEE runs study abroad, work exchange, and international education programs partnering with universities and governments — directly comparable to World Learning's Global UGRAD, IDEAS, and exchange offerings.
- AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS runs international student exchange programs spanning multiple countries and ages — directly comparable to World Learning's Global UGRAD, Youth Ambassadors, and Professional Fellows program categories.
- Institute of International Education (IIE): IIE is a nonprofit that designs and administers international scholarship and exchange programs, including the flagship Fulbright Program and the U.S. Student Program — directly comparable to World Learning as a U.S. public diplomacy grant administrator.
- Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU is a nonprofit specializing in secondary-school student exchange programs in dozens of countries — directly comparable to World Learning's exchange programs and secondary-school-focused international education work.
- SIT Graduate Institute: SIT Graduate Institute is the academic home of the SIT TESOL Certificate delivered through World Learning — directly comparable as an accredited TESOL and international education training provider.
- Experiment in International Living: Experiment is a sister organization under World Learning's lineage, running short-term cross-cultural and language immersion programs — directly comparable as an international education and exchange provider.
Emerging players
- AIESEC: AIESEC is a youth-led global organization running international exchange and professional development programs — partially overlapping with World Learning's Professional Fellows and Youth Ambassadors programs.
Broad incumbents
- Peace Corps: Peace Corps is a U.S. government international service program with overlapping foreign policy and intercultural education goals — a broadly comparable public diplomacy counterpart though structurally different.
- FHI 360: FHI 360 is a large nonprofit operating broad international education, workforce, and development programs funded by USAID and State Department — comparable as a peer U.S. government grantee in international education and exchange.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
World Learning social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
World Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Learning
What does World Learning do?
World Learning is a nonprofit organization founded in 1932 that delivers international education and people-to-people exchange programs across more than 150 countries. Its core work includes administering exchange and academic programs for international participants, English-language teacher training and TESOL certification, and public-diplomacy programming delivered primarily under U.S. government sponsorship.
Is World Learning a public or private company?
World Learning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World Learning founded?
World Learning was founded in 1932. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is World Learning based?
World Learning is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are World Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IREX, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), AFS Intercultural Programs, Institute of International Education (IIE), Youth For Understanding (YFU), SIT Graduate Institute and Experiment in International Living. AIESEC is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Peace Corps and FHI 360.
Does World Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Learning.
What industry is World Learning in?
World Learning's product category is International Education and Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAAAJ, Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions), with a secondary code of EDAIAAAF, Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs. Its NAICS code is 611630 and its SIC code is 8200.